A well-known recording that uses an ambient microphone technique is the Cowboy Junkies' Trinity Sessions. This one was recorded using a Calrec microphone system -- able to capture a sound image in three dimensions.
I'm wondering what are the alternative approaches, using small diaphram Neumann microphones. Would you need to use microphones with a Figure of 8 pickup pattern? I imagine that you could also go the route of binuaral mic'ing to achieve the same effect, understanding that the listener would have to use headphones to experience the effect.
What are the alternatives, issues and considerations? Will a mid-side mic technique achieve a similar result?